Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms (center) talks about 21-year-old Demarcus Semer, who was fatally shot by Fort Pierce police over the weekend, during a Fort Pierce City Commission meeting Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at City Hall. Mimms, who said he knew Semer personally, described him as a good young man. The meeting, which was called by Commissioner Reggie Sessions in light of the shooting, was incoming City Attorney James Messer's first. (XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

Chelsea Middleton (center), 18, the sister of 21-year-old Demarcus Semer, was shot and killed by Fort Pierce police over the weekend, listens to city officials speak Wednesday, April 27, 2016, about the investigation during a special Fort Pierce City Commission meeting called by Commissioner Reggie Sessions at City Hall. (XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS )

FORT PIERCE — The City Commission on Wednesday declined to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene in the investigation of Saturday's fatal police shooting of 21-year-old Demarcus Semer.

Instead, the commission will ask the Justice Department to evaluate the case and decide whether the agency wants to intervene.

The shooting, in which two Fort Pierce police officers fired their weapons, happened after police tried to stop Semer's vehicle on North 19th Street at 11:55 p.m. Saturday, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office was asked to investigate the shooting by Fort Pierce police.

Sheriff Ken Mascara has declined to say whether Semer had a weapon. Mascara at a Monday news conference said at some point during the stop, Semer attempted to flee in his car and in doing so, ran over one of the officers, injuring his leg, as a second officer was getting into Semer's car. The second officer couldn't exit the moving car.

Semer was shot as he ran along the side of a house, said Benson Joseph, Semer's lifelong friend, who said he witnessed the shooting.

Officials won't identify the two officers involved in the shooting until after the investigation is complete and a grand jury is convened, Chief Assistant State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl said.

City Manager Nick Mimms said the FBI and the Department of Justice are monitoring the case.

"We are all members of this community and this young man (Semer) meant something to me," Mimms said.

More than 130 people filled the commission chambers for the two-hour meeting. Many in attendance wiped tears from their eyes and sighed deeply, showing frustration.

Commissioner Eddie Becht said he was against the Department of Justice's involvement because he said it sends a message that "I don't support my sheriff."

"If the Department of Justice thought there was something to investigate, then they would already be here," Becht said.

Commissioner Tom Perona said he didn't want to offend the Sheriff's Office by asking an outside agency to intervene.

"We, the city, have worked very hard to maintain a good relationship with the Sheriff's Office, and I didn't want to make them feel in any way that I didn't have confidence in them," Perona said.

Commissioner Reggie Sessions, who was the only commissioner to support the federal involvement, said the public could contact the Department of Justice themselves.

"This is a very, very serious matter and we cannot afford to sweep this under the rug," Sessions said.

Residents at the meeting on Wednesday said they do not trust the Sheriff's Office to conduct an impartial investigation into the shooting because the office works closely with the Police Department.

"It would be a huge slap in the face to this community if you discard the wishes of this community," resident Trayvon Simmon said.

"I think they don't want justice for all. If they really cared, they would've taken it into consideration. We want a fair investigation, that's all, " said Raynasha Grant, 21, who attended Dan McCarty Middle School with Semers.

Staff writer Nick Samuel contributed to this story.

About Keona Gardner

Keona Gardner is a multimedia journalist covering St. Lucie County and Fort Pierce. Contact her with news tips.